SYMBIT (SYnchronization Model for Belgian Inland Transport): Wining idea of the TRAVisions 2018 competition (Category: Cross-modality)

The objective of our paper is to introduce a model which integrates information flows with physical movement of assets. Our SYnchronization Model for Belgian Inland Transport (SYMBIT) has the ability to simulate and evaluate movements of physical assets based on firing rules and triggering events such as newly incoming order requests, insertion of extra service points, altered delivery times caused by route deviations etc. SYMBIT is a computational model that combines features of geographic information systems, agent-based modelling and discrete event simulations. Its architecture can be connected to regional as well as inter-regional flows to assess one of the first synchromodal door-to-door deliveries. The main motivation behind SYMBIT’s development is the fragmentation of various freight transport applications which present challenges in terms of knowledge transferability and solution scalability. This is due to the ad-hoc nature of current models which focus on specific scales and geographical regions. The freight transport sector lacks a uniform standard evaluation tool that is capable of measuring freight transport performance, its resilience and consequent impact from a holistic perspective. A model that would take such a holistic perspective and allow, through its design, for a combination of inter-regional and local flows, has not been fully develop yet. The key characteristics of the model are:
- Scalability and transferability
- Stochastic and dynamic interactions
- Detailed spatial and temporal awareness of moving and stationary assets
- Decentralized agent behaviour to test current practices and new autonomous systems and structures
- Ability to simulate and evaluate movements of physical assets based on firing rules and triggering events